Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-04-14
DEATH OF WILLIAM DEAN.

clique, and Is therefore well nLteQ TO pre-
side over the interests Of the whole know
ing only deep underlying principles and the
grand bonds OF unity.
-
DEATH OF WILLIAM DEAN.
ahe Principal Founder Of the Pa-
GUOns OF Husbmndry Ian thhs state
EIectad IN 1859 As a Democrat 10
lhe state HleEtsiatures
Speclai Correspondence OF Every Evening.
NEWARK, April 13--!The sad event which
Newark has been sorrowinRly awaiting for
the past week, happened yesterday after
noon at 4.40, when the death of William
Dean occurred. 1t took but few minutes
Tor the news to circulate Into all parts OF
the town that Newark's most active and
prominent citizen had ceased bis long and
busy life. To many the knowledge came
spontaneously with the report of Bishop
Lees death and was therefore all the more
forcible and astounding.
Mr., Deans last moments were uneon-
sclous, as indeed were most of his last
days, and at lucid intervals he seemed to
deeply realize the utter hopelessness OF his
condition, but beyond this slight recognt-
tion he seemed apparently obiyious OF all
surroundings. His remarkable vitality and
force when had sustained bin In many
circumstances In his life and latterly In his
expired surrounded by his family circle Of
Ave children, three daughters and two sons,
all grown, Joseph and Kershaw, both CO.
laborers with their father in the interests OF
the Dean Wooden Company.
The primary cause OF MIR. Deans death
was a severe attack OF pneumonia con-
tracted several weeks ago, and In his de-
bilitated condition, superlnduced by the
late destruction of his mills, he fell VIC
tim. Mr.. Dean In life held no religious be-
lief beyond his own standard OF morals,
and It Il understood that the burial ritual
OF the Grange will comprise the last rites,
which will be performed at his late resi-
dence in "Deansdale," just north OF here,
at o'clock on Saturday afternoon, after
which interment will be made In the M. E..
cemetery In town.
The II. 58 D. m. train from Wilmington on
| the PENNSYLVANIA railroad will bring friends
/ to Newark Centre and they can return at
1855 or IL p. m. 1t is expected that there
| will be large assemblages Of prominent
manufacturers and political friends from
this State and Pennsylvania at his funeral.
| 1t Is impossible to state the amount Of Mr..
Deans wealth. A sketch Of bis life follows
| Mr.. Dean was born May 10th, 1920, In
| Blockley township, Philadelphia county,
Pa. He was the only son of Joseph and
Deborah Dean. His early life was one OF
much industry OF the same interchangeable
I
/ days; but he did not take kindly to school
and study and was early put into an APP
/ premiership In his fathers mill at his own
| earnest solicitation. In 1886 be fully en-
| tered upon his lifelong career OF work and
/ became permanent fixture in the manu-
/ facture of wooden goods In Philadelphia.
| At the age of 40 he married Margaret
| Aspden and simultaneously began to earn
| his first wages of "a 80 per week, fact
| that Mr.. Dean always remembered and re-
lated. Incidentally 1t may be mentioned
| that among all of the 500 hands employed
| In his extensive mills Of the present time
none receive as low compensation for their
labor.
with Joseph Deans removal 10 Newark,
K In 1876, to seek greater water power on the
/ White Clay creek here, an era of business
| aud prosperity began for Newark, u then
| small village of 500 Inhabitants, with only
| the prestige OF Delaware College and
/ Newark Academy TO save 1t from compara-
| tive obscurity. In this small factory, near
he placid waters OF the White CLAY creek,
Il was the nucleus of one of the largest wooden
| mills 10 the country. Prosperity, as is sell
dom the case, began at once, and, by care
| full economy and transformations living has
been held to till the present. The financial
troubles OF 1857 affected the firm of Joseph
Dean & Son temporarily, and. It Is said
| sut erlndueed Joseph Deans death, In
Il
| then entered into partnership, retaining the
| old name, which they retained until 1882
| wnsn stock company was formed with q
capital of $3.50, 900, and the mills we're re-
i 5ullt and the capacity more than doubled
Mr.. Pllltng then withdrew from active man
agemsnt, and in his departure the firm lost
| Ws best member and main support. Mr
Dean held tae majority ot stock aud was
lscted secretary aud treasurer OF the ne 3
Jean WOODEN Company with Ad&n''t
i Thomas OF Philadelphia, aa president. Tie
| enlarged mills have not had the suee ~
which was anticipated, and their late almost
t1tal destruction by fire on Christmns.Day
4n-atling n loss Of nearly 100000, is re-
| called by most readers.
Mr.. Deans public life has been productive
II much good. He was an efficient pro-
moter of tine Pennsylvania Il Delaware but
| now the Newark g. Pomsray railroad, and
FOR years was director. He also labored
hard with the Legislature OF 1881 to secure
10 the Baltimore Il Philadelphia railroad
it's right OF way through Delaware, bu,
afterwards became decidedly unfriendly tC
the completed road.
He was the principal founder of the
Patrons of Husbandry in Delaware, and
master of Newark Grange for many years
besides being chairman OF its State execu
tive committee. Ia politics, as In every
thing else, he was self willed and indepen
1
He was consistent free trader. ant
rs an incorporating opponent Of pro
tective tariff he has gained wide repu
tation. In 1869 he was elected by the Dem
ocratie party to the Legislature in which h,
took a prominent pnrt and was chairman o.
the committee on ways and means. Thu
success of his management was shown IL
the rise Of State bonds from rs cents to pa
within year after the passage of his rev
/ enue law. In 1879 he was chairman
of the Democratic State Committee
but resigned on the nomination o
Horace Greeley to the Presidency. He wa
also delegate to the Louisville convention
which nominated Charles O'Conor ant
Charles Francis Adams on the nationa
ticket. Several sessions Of the Legislature
had him as vigorous and outspoken mem
her and II his course was frequently unten
able and much criticised 1t had the VIRTUE
of sincerity at least. His latest politica
departure was his alliance, in the last Stat
campaign, with the temperance party. Sew
eral trips to England and the continen
, | diversified his cares and much recuperatet
, his health, but he had lately lost his wifi
and daughter, the former In 1881 and tn
latter in 1886.
, Mr.. Deans pen had been active In la.
, years In voluminous aud interesting letter
! to EVERY EVENING on practical politics, an
"a variety OF other subjects. While unlei
, tered In The arts aud sciences, his excsllen
common-sense and business Instinct mad
up in manner for his lack of education
! There was much logic and sarcasm In hi
! public speeches and writings, which weI
forclble and aggressive, generally takin
! | the form of phtlipptcs. 1t has always bee
matter OF regret to his family and friedd
! that he never affiliated himself with an
1 church, hut his life and habits always cor
1 formed to his strict sense of rectinde an
4 sobriety. Newark loses Its greatest benz
factor and most Jealous citizen, and th
n public sympathy extended to him in b
q recent misfortune by fire now finds Its Gu
n mination in the heartfelt sorrow and charit
4 accorded him at his death. He was a
honest, fearless and generous man.
l. -